Learning Ideas for Students with a Tactile, Kinesthetic Learning Style

Students with a tactile, kinesthetic learning style want to use their hands while they're learning. They want to touch the clay, work the machine, feel the material, whatever it is. They want to do.

If you learn best using your sense of touch, using the ideas in this list will help you make the most of your study time.

01
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Do it!

Science---Echo---Cultura---Getty-Images-137548114.jpg

The most important way for a tactile, kinesthetic learner to learn is by doing! Whatever it is you're learning, do it if at all possible. Take it apart, hold it in your hands, go through the motions, do it. Whatever it is. And then put it back together.

02
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Attend events

Applause-Joshua-Hodge-Photography-Vetta-Getty-Images-175406826.jpg
Joshua Hodge Photography - Vetta - Getty Images 175406826

Participating in events of any kind is a wonderful way for you to learn. If you can't find an event concerning your topic of study, consider creating one of your own. Talk about a learning experience!

03
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Take field trips

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Rendering by John Horner
Rendering by John Horner

A field trip can be anything from a visit to a museum to a hike in the woods. Many industries offer tours of their facilities. This is an excellent way to learn straight from the experts. Think outside the box here. Where could you go to learn something fascinating about your topic?

04
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Express your learning with art

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jo unruh - E Plus - Getty Images 185107210

Create something artful that expresses what you're learning. This could be a drawing, a sculpture, a sand castle, a mosaic, anything. A meal! Create something with your hands, and you'll be sure to remember the experience.

05
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Doodle

Writing-Vincent-Hazat-PhotoAlto-Agency-RF-Collections-Getty-Images-pha202000005.jpg
Vincent Hazat - PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections - Getty Images pha202000005

I'm a little old-fashioned about drawing in books, but if it helps you learn, doodle in the margins of your books and notebooks. Draw pictures that help you remember the material.

06
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Role play in a study group

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Study groups are great tools for tactile learners. If you can find the right group of people who are willing to learn with you, role playing can be an excellent way for you to help each other. Role playing can seem silly at first, but if you get great results, who cares?

Kelly Roell, Guide to Test Prep, has some great advice on How to Study with a Study Group.

07
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Meditate

Meditation-kristian-sekulic-E-Plus-Getty-Images-175435602.jpg
kristian sekulic - E Plus - Getty Images 175435602

Do you meditate? If so, take a short meditation break, just 10 minutes, and refresh your body and your mind. If you haven't meditated, it's easy to learn: How to Meditate

08
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Make a note of the environment in which you learned

When you make associations, you're most likely to remember whatever it is you're studying. Make a note of the environment in which you learned it--sight, sound, smells, taste, and, of course, touch.

09
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Fidget

Fidgeting not only helps you lose weight, it can help you learn if you're a tactile learner. Change the ways in which you fidget, and the association will be an element of your memory. I'm not a huge fan of gum chewers, but chewing gum might be a technique you'll find helpful. Just don't annoy your neighbors with snapping and cracking.

10
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Keep a worry rock in your pocket

Cultures around the world feature items their people hold in their hands to worry with--beads, rocks, talismans, all kinds of things. Keep something in your pocket or bag--a small, smooth rock maybe--that you can rub while you're learning.

11
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Retype your notes

If you take hand-written notes, the act of typing them can help your review. Remember flip charts? If you happen to have one, or a large white board, writing your most important notes in a large way can help you to remember them.

12
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Volunteer for class demonstrations

This can be tough if you're shy, but volunteering to participate in class demonstrations will be an excellent way for you to remember the material. If you're so shy that all you'll remember is the distress, skip this idea.

13
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Use flash cards

Holding cards in your hands, flash cards, will help you test yourself on material that fits on cards. This doesn't work for everything, of course, but if the material can be shortened to a few words, making your own flash cards and studying with them will be an excellent way for you to study.

14
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Make mind maps

If you haven't drawn a mind map before, you might really love this idea. Grace Fleming, Guide to Homework Tips, has a nice gallery of mind maps, and shows you how to create them.

15
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Stretch

When you're studying for long hours, make a point to get up every hour and stretch. Moving your body is important to you. Stretching keeps your muscles oxygenated, including the muscles in your brain.

If you're coordinated enough to walk while you're reading, get up and walk a while with your book or your notes if you don't want to stretch.

16
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Use Highlighters

The simple act of moving a highlighter in your hand can help tactile learners remember material. Use lots of different colors and make it fun.

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Peterson, Deb. "Learning Ideas for Students with a Tactile, Kinesthetic Learning Style." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/kinesthetic-learning-style-31151. Peterson, Deb. (2023, April 5). Learning Ideas for Students with a Tactile, Kinesthetic Learning Style. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/kinesthetic-learning-style-31151 Peterson, Deb. "Learning Ideas for Students with a Tactile, Kinesthetic Learning Style." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/kinesthetic-learning-style-31151 (accessed March 29, 2024).